The newest race on the Dubai World Cup programme as well as the evening’s first thoroughbred race was the US$1 million Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD. The Group 3 race is run along Meydan’s 1200m straight course and attracted a full field of 16 runners with the winner’s prize going to the New Zealand-bred Joy And Fun, a Hong Kong invader, who scored by three-quarters of a length and covered the course in 1:09.80.

The winner is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Wong Chung Nam, trained by Derek Cruz and ridden by Brett Doyle. It was the second victory in Dubai World Cup night competition for Doyle and the first for trainer Cruz. Joy And Fun is only the second Hong Kong-based horse to score in Dubai World Cup night competition.

“That was great,” Doyle said. “The horse deserved it as he’s bumped into Sacred Kingdom a number of times. There’s no straight [1200m] six furlongs and that’s what he needs. The trainer chose the right race, he stays 1400metres and he outstayed the American horse.”

“I haven’t got the words to express it hardly, added his trainer. “I feel really proud, he pinged out of the gates and was more prominent than I thought he would be and Brett kept him there all the way and with a great ride and I guess at home he is more of a 1400 meter horse, so his stamina for this straight told in the end.”

The son of Cullen stalked the pace set by the United States representative California Flag and overtook that rival inside the final 200 metres. Fravashi also closed late to get past the leader for the place spot with California Flag settling for third after making most of the pace.

Only the second race ever to be run over the straight course at Meydan, California Flag was alert from the gate and maintained a clear lead over Joy And Fun, Star Crowned and Dohasa through the first 200 metres with Judd Street joining the fray at the 400.

War Artist, All Silent, Judd Street, Sirocco Breeze, Finjaan, Mariol, Asset, Terrific Challenge, Sir Gerry, Our Giant, Star Crowned, Prince Shaun and Dohasa completed the order of finish.

Image by Andrew Watkins

Post race quotes from the Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD

Derek Cruz, trainer, Joy And Fun, 1st: “I haven’t got the words to express it hardly. I feel really proud, he pinged out of the gates and was more prominent than I thought he would be and Brett kept him there all the way and with a great ride and I guess at home he is more of a 1400 meter horse, so his stamina for this straight told in the end.”

Brett Doyle, jockey, Joy And Fun, 1st: “That was great, the horse deserves it, as he has bumped into Sacred Kingdom a few times. There is no straight six furlongs in HK and that is what he needs. Derek Cruz, his trainer, chose the right race. He stays 1400 meters and he outstayed the American horse.”

Ahmed Ajtebi, jockey, Fravashi, 2nd : “I drove him to get there but he was never quite quick enough, he is a sort of one action horse who lacked the pace of the winner but it was a great effort.”

Joe Talamo, jockey, California Flag, 3rd : “He broke well and he relaxed, he just got outrun in the end. They just out quickened him in the last 16th.”

Olivier Peslier, jockey, War Artist, 4th : “I had a good ride. We were right behind California Flag, I just followed them. He changed leads better than last time for me and he fought very well. I was very pleased.”

Corey Brown, jockey, All Silent, 5th: “Just didn’t have the finish that we know. Kept wanting to be there, but wasn’t travelling.”

Kieren Fallon, jockey, Judd Street, 6th: “I’d had been a bit closer with a better draw, I could never get any cover.”

Lanfranco Dettori, jockey, Sirocco Breeze, 7th : “He is not a sprinter.”

Christophe Lemaire, jockey Mariol, 9th: “It’s difficult for horses that need to be held up, as they go quick. He runs well, but we couldn’t get placed.”

Ted Durcan, jockey, Asset, 10th : “No excuses.”

Richard Mullen, jockey, Terrific Challenge, 11th : “He travelled well and two down I thought I might sneak through but younger horses were just too strong for him at the end. This was a step up in performance anyway.”

Ryan Moore, jockey, Sir Gerry, 12th: “They went too quick around for my horse, we couldn’t keep up.”

Kevin Shea, jockey, Our Giant, 13th: “He was never in the race, this trip was too short for him.”

Tadhg O’Shea, jockey, Prince Shaun, 15th: “The grass is riding quick and very competitive race. He ran a real good gallop and I’m sure the best horse won.”

Pat Smullen, jockey, Dohassa, 16th: “Just ran a bit flat today. It’s the end of a long season.

Royston Ffrench, jockey, Star Crowned, 14th: “He travelled really well but petered out from half way.”